Removable storm shutter



June 23, 1970 J. c. KURZ REMOVABLE STORM SHUTTER Filed Feb. 6, 1969 ZZ /i INVENTOR J?! 62 ffwrz BY M ATTo NEY

United States Patent 3,516,470 REMOVABLE STORM SHUTTER John C. Kurz, 8933 Krewstown Road, Philadelphia, Pa. 19115 Filed Feb. 6, 1969, Ser. No. 797,014 Int. Cl. E04f /08 US. Cl. 160-35 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A removable storm shutter including a plurality of interfolded transverse metallic blades and easily removable means for securing the blades over windows and doors of a building to thereby provide protection against high winds and unauthorized entry into the building.

The present invention relates generally to the building products industry, more particularly is directed to a removable type of storm shutter which includes a plurality of hingedly interfitting metallic blades which may be removable secured over the doors and the Windows of a structure.

In the past, porperty owners, maintenance managers, police ofiicials and others similarly interested in building security have been presented with serious problems of how best to secure vacant buildings against unusual weather conditions and against unauthorized entry. The problem becomes especially acute in vacation areas where large numbers of high value homes are used only for a short span of time and are generally vacant for periods of many months duration. Especially, in warm areas such as Florida, the Keys and in the Bahamas where winds of hurricane velocity frequently occur, methods of properly securing such vacant structures present major considerations to the property owner.

Prior workers in the field have utilized many makeshift type of arrangements varying from such simple methods as nailing plywood or sheet metal over the building openings to more elaborate procedures such as furnishing and installing decorative shutters, storm enclosures or other types of construction which may be individually designed and installed at a single location. In the case of simply nailing plywood or sheet metal over the building openings, such procedures are generally unsatisfactory in that they result in permanent damage to the framing about the building openings due to the nails utilized to afiix the protective material to the building. Further, such plywood or sheet metal protection materials present an unsightly appearance thereby considerably detracting from the aesthetic value of the neighborhood. Further, large sheets of material are normally required for this service and such materials are bulky, cumbersome and ditficult to handle and install. Further, materials of this type have a relatively short life span of use and therefore require relatively frequent replacement with new materials all of which result in an unsightly, unsatisfactory and relatively costly type of interim protection.

The specially made shutters and other constructions which are designed and installed on an individual basis in accordance with the requirements of a single structure are extremely costly in intial fabrication and installation and further, are usually semi-perrnanent in nature and so may not readily be removed for storage by the property owner when it is desired to again use the building. In view of the high initial costs encountered and the bulkiness of the devices, such specially designed and fabricated structures have found only a very limited market.

Accordingly, in view of the difiiculties encountered as above set forth when attempting to utilize presently available materials and methods, large numbers of property See owners in such resort areas have simply refused to use any of the presently available materials and methods and have simply locked the doors and windows at the end of the vacation season and have otherwise left the building additionally unprotected. This apthy and inaction has resulted in considerable increased exposure to loss both by the ravages of severe storms and by vandals who might otherwise be deterred by exterior building opening protection devices.

The present invention seeks to overcome all of the shortcomings of the prior art constructions by providing a relatively inexpensive, attractive, easily installed, easily removed and compactly stored removable storm shutter that also serves as a deterrent to vandals. It is contemplated that well-known fabricating methods and materials will be utilized in the construction of the removable storm shutter in accordance with the instant invention to thereby further reduce tooling and manufacturing costs. It is the intent of this invention to teach a method and apparatus of utilizing a plurality of transverse, interfolded, lightweight metallic blades such as disclosed in Pat. No. 3,273,- 632 to McCabe and dated Sept. 20, 1966 for the stated purpose of protecting building openings.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved removable storm shutter of the type set forth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a removable storm shutter that is manufactured of a plurality of interfitting parallel blades.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel removable storm shutter construction that may be readily installed over existing building window and door openings.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel removable storm shutter that removably secures in position by utilizing conventional fastening means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel removable storm shutter that is fabricated from a plurality of transverse interfitting, identical blades Whereby the height of the shutter may be readily varied.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel removable storm shutter designed with a plurality of interfitting blades which compactly fold against each other to thereby require minimum storage space.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel removable storm shutter that is light in Weight and exceedingly strong when installed over residence door or window openings.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel removable storm shutter that may be easily installed and readily removed from building window and door openings by persons having no particular skill or training.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel removable storm shutter that is inexpensive in manufacture, simple in construction and trouble-free when in use.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the invention applied over a building window or door opening.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the blades in folded position suitable for storage purposes.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. is a front elevational view showing the invention applied to a building.

Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake fo clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of my invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, I show in FIG. 1, a removable storm shutter constructed and installed in accordance with the present invention. A plurality of transverse, interfolded, light-weight metallic blades aflix at the top blade 14 thereof to the removable top hanger 16 and depend therefrom in sturdy, interfolded relation to overlie a building opening such as a window 18 or a door 20. The vertical, transverse struts 24, 26 removable affix to the building construction '22 and securely bind the right and left edges 28, 30 of the blades 12 to thereby prevent damage to the storm shutter 10 by action of high velocity winds such as commonly occur at the time of violent tropical storms.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the blades 12 interfold about the adjacent hinge sections 32, 34 which respectively, transversely extend along the top and bottom edges of each shutter blade 12. In accordance with the construction disclosed in Pat. No. 3,273,632 hereinbefore mentioned, the blades 12 respectively interfold about the hinge sections 32, 34 and are respectively movable from the interfolded and stored position 36 as shown in FIG. 3 to the extended and protecting position 38 as disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The top hanger 16 may be formed in well-known manner from galvanized sheet steel or sheet aluminum of suflicient gage to provide the required rigidity to a generally rectangular configuration 40. The blade enclosure 40 is fabricated to include an open bottom 42 to thereby permit the blades 12 to be interfolded and stored within the enclosure 40 when it is desired to store the storm shutter 10 during periods when the building 22 is in use. The enclosure 40 terminates upwardly in a flat, vertically extending flange 44, which transversely extends the entire width of the top hanger 16. A plurality of slotted openings 46 are provided in the top flange 44 to facilitate installation and removal of the storm shutter 10 in cooperation with the mounting bolts 48 as hereinafter more fully set forth. The uppermost storm shutter blade 14 aflixes to the top of the enclosure 40 in any well-known manner, such as by utilizing a plurality of rivets 50, to thereby securely fasten the assembly of blades 12 to the top hanger 16 in hanging relation.

Each side strut 24, 26 is bent to provide a generally flat building connection flange 52, 54 to facilitate locking installation over the building opening 18, by utilizing the mounting bolts 48. A blade locking flange 56, 58 is formed parallel to the building connection flange 52, 54 and is spaced therefrom a distance suflicient to accommodate the height of the interfolded hinge sections 32, 34. The flanges 52, S4 serve to lock the interfolded blades 12 against the building construction. Each strut 24, 26 is provided with a plurality of horizontally slotted openings 60 for easy installation over and removal from the storm shutter blades 12 after the blades are installed over the building openings 18, 20 by utilizing the mounting bolts 48.

The bolts 48 must be of design that may be repeatedly loosened and tightened and satisfactory for use with the building construction components utilized in construction of the building openings 18, 20. It will be appreciated that the type of construction materials employed can widely vary with each locality. Building materials such as brick, block, stone, wood, plastics and sidings of various compositions may all be encountered about the building openings 18, 20. It is the purpose of this invention to provide a readily installable and removable storm shutter. Therefore, in view of the varying nature of building construction, it is necessary to provide the most satisfactory type of mounting bolt for use with each diiferent construction material. It is contemplated that expansion bolts, cinch anchors, lag screws, self tapping screws and similar fastenings may all be employed with equal facility, depending upon the building construction.

In accordance with the present invention, the fastening device 48, of whatever nature, must be of design that may be tightened and loosened a great number of times to thereby permit installation and removal of the storm shutter 10 on repeated occasions Whenever so desired. In those cases where it is desired to utilize the storm shutter 10 as a deterrent to vandals as well as for protection against storms, a bolt head requiring a special wrench or tool of any known variety before the bolt can be turned may be so utilized for this purpose. Alternately, when so desired as a deterrent to vandals, additional bolts 48 may be provided along the vertical struts 24, 26 and across the vertically extended flange 44 as seen in FIG. 5 in addition to those required merely for structural considerations. By utilizing an excess number of bolts, it is contemplated that a person desiring to enter the building through such a protected opening will realize that an excess amount of time will be required to remove all of the bolts 48 to thereby gain entrance. In such a manner, in view of the excess time required to remove the bolts which would thereby materially increase the chances of apprehension, it is contemplated that a prospective vandal will thus be deterred and will accordingly not attempt to gain entrance to a building so protected.

The open bottom 42 of the hanger enclosure terminates forwardly in a horizontal flange 62 of sufiicient depth to carry a pair of threaded bolts 64, 66 which turn into the flange affixed nuts 68 in well-known manner to receive the struts 24, 26 through the slotted openings for storage purposes. See FIG. 3. When it is desired to store the storm shutter 10, the blades 12 interfold upon each other and store within the rectangular enclosure 40 as best seen in FIG. 3. The right and left struts 24, 26 aflix to the bottom of the enclosure 40 by means of the bolts 64, 66 which tighten against the slotted openings 60. The blade locking flanges 56, 58 position upwardly within the enclosure through the open bottom 42 thereof to depress against the lowest blade 12 and thereby lock all of the interfolded blades 12 with the enclosure 40.

Referring now to FIG. 5, three methods of use of the removable storm shutter 10 are illustrated. The right window 70 is fully protected by a removable storm shutter 10 similar to the shutter installation illustrated in FIG. 1. In order to affix this shutter, a plurality of removable bolts 48 are first inserted in a secure manner into the construction material about the top and both sides of the window 70. The top hanger is then applied over the top of the window opening by inserting the wide portions 72 of the slotted openings 60 over the heads of the mounting bolts 48 and then allowing the weight of the shutter to pull the narrow portion 74 of the slotted openings into engagement with the shank of the bolt 48 between the bolt head 76 and the building construction 78'. The bolts 48 are then tightened in well-known manner to thereby securely fasten the top hanger 16 in position to protect the Window opening 70. The blades 12 depend from the hanger affixed top blade 14 in their extended and protecting position 48 to overlie the window 70. A sufficient number of interfitting blades 12 should be utilized to cover the entire window opening for complete protection. The side struts 24, 26 vertically atfix to the building construction by applying the wide portions 72 of the slotted openings 60 over the heads of the mounting bolts 48 and then urging the struts inwardly until the narrow portions 74 of the openings 60 engage the shank of the mounting bolts. The locking flanges 56, 58 position respectively over the transverse edges of the blades 12 and completely cover the exposed edges to thereby prevent the entrance of wind forces between the blades 12 and the building construction 78. Once the struts 24, 26 are properly aligned, the

bolts 48 are tightened in well-known manner to thereby securely fasten the blades in position by means of the laterally positioned struts 24, 26.

The door opening 20 is illustrated in FIG. showing the storm damper completely removed from the opening. As can be seen, the bolts 48 remain affixed to the building construction 22 to thereby readily receive a removable storm shutter 10 when such a shutter is again to be installed. The bolts 48 are relatively unobstrusive in appearance and therefore do not detract from the pleasing appearance of the dwelling construction. When it is desired to again protect this opening 20, all that is required is to loosen the bolts 48 a suflicient distance to permit the installation of the top hanger 16 and the side struts 24, 26 in the manner hereinbefore set forts.

The left window 80 in FIG. 5 is illustrated showing the storm shutter 10 applied over the top of the window by afiixing the top hanger 16 to the top bolts 48 in the manner hereinbefore described. The blades 12 are interfolded to the stored position 36 within the rectangular enclosure 40 and are secured in this position by aflixing the side struts 24, 26 to the bolts 64, 66 in the manner hereinbefore described. See FIG. 3. It should be noted that the right and left side bolts 48 remain affixed to the building construction 78 for future use when so desired. In order to utilize the storm shutter 10 to protect the window 80, the bolts 64, 66 need only be loosened a suflicient amount to permit removal of the struts 24, 26. The blades 12 can then drop by gravity to the extended and protecting position 38 and be secured to the building construction by utilizing the side struts 24, 26 and the mounting bolts 48 in the manner hereinbefore set forth.

Although I have described my invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a storm shutter for removable installation over the openings of a structure, the combination of (A) a top hanger,

(1) said top hanger including means for removably aflixing the said hanger to the said structure and (2) the said top hanger further including blade holding construction;

(B) a pluraliay of interfolded shutter blades aflixed at one end thereof to the said top hanger,

( 1) said blades being foldable to an interfolded and stored position and (2) said blades being extendable to an extended and protecting position;

(C) a pair of right and left vertical struts protecting the transverse edges of the said blades,

(1) each said strut having means for removably aflixing the said strut to the said structure and (2) each said strut being vertically bent to provide a blade locking flange,

(a) each said blade locking flange overlying a lateral edge of the said interfolded blades to thereby secure the said edge of the blades against the said structure when the blades assume said extended and protecting position.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said blades are transversely reinforced by a plurality of respective, spaced, parallel, interfitting, blade aflixed hinge sections.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said blades are transversely reinforced by a plurality of respective, spaced, parallel, interfitting, blade aflixed hinge sections, and wherein the said blades are vertically reinforced at the lateral edges thereof by the overlying contact of the said strut blade locking flange.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said blade holding construction of the top hinges forms an enclosure constructed of sufiicient size to receive the said blades therein when the blades are folded to the said interfolded and stored position.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said blade holding construction of the said top hanger forms an enclosure and wherein the said enclosure is provided with an open bottom to receive the said blades when folded to the said interfolded and stored position.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said blade holding construction of the said top hanger forms an enclosure and wherein the said enclosure is provided with a bottom opening and a bottom positioned flange, the said flange carrying a plurality of mounting bolts thereon.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said blade holding construction is provided with a bottom opening and a bottom positioned flange, the said flange carrying a plurality of mounting bolts thereon, the said bolts being spaced equal the spacing between at least two mounting holes provided in the said struts.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said blade holding construction is provided with a bottom opening and a bottom positioned flange, the said bottom flange and the said strut flanges carrying a plurality of mounting bolts thereon, the said bolts being spaced to equal the spacing between at least two mounting holes provided in the said strut flanges, the said struts being constructed to removably fasten to the said blade holding construction bolts, the said struts substantially closing the said bottom opening when the blades are folded to the said interfolded and stored position to thereby lock the said blades in the said position.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein the storm shutter is provided with horizontal top securing means and vertical blade lateral edge securing means whereby an exceedingly strong, substantially storm-proof construction may be provided.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said top hanger includes a blade storage enclosure for enclosing the said blades when folded to the said interfolded and stored position.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said top hanger includes a blade storage enclosure for enclosing the said blades when folded to the said interfolded and stored position and means to secure the said blades with in the said enclosure when in the said interfolded and stored position.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said top hanger includes a blade storage enclosure for enclosing the said blades when folded to the said interfolded and stored position and means to secure the said blades within the said enclosure when in the said interfolded and stored position, the said means including securing the said vertical struts to the said enclosure at the bottom thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 474,259 5/ 1892 Murdock -35 790,632 5/1905 Hall 160'35 X 1,676,500 7/1928 McGinnis 160-33 1,801,220 4/1931 Brown l6035 X 2,672,192 3/1954 Goldner 16032 3,273,632 9/1966 McCabe 16036 X FOREIGN PATENTS 278,861 11/1951 Switzerland.

J. KARL BELL, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 160-35 36 

